Around Jerusalem and the Dead Sea
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1. Beit Guvrin–Maresha National Park
RuinsThis national park encompasses some 1,250 acres of rolling hills in the Judean lowlands, where for thousands of years people dug quarries, burial...
This national park encompasses some 1,250 acres of rolling hills in the Judean lowlands, where for thousands of years people dug quarries, burial caves, storerooms, hideouts, and dovecotes in a subterranean labyrinth of unparalleled complexity. In the Second Temple period, millions of pilgrims ascended to Jerusalem to offer animal sacrifices. At Beit Guvrin, doves were raised on a vast scale to supply the pilgrims' need. Unlike many ruins, this national park allows you to readily envision life 2,000 years ago, both above- and underground.The antiquities sprawl around the kibbutz of Beit Guvrin, just beyond the junction of Routes 38 and 35. These are bits and pieces of the 2nd- to 3rd-century AD Beit Guvrin, renamed (around the year 200) Eleuthropolis, "the city of free men." The amphitheater—an arena for Roman blood sports and mock sea battles—is one of only a few discovered in Israel.After entering the park, drive south toward the flattop mound of ancient Maresha, known today as Tel Maresha. King Rehoboam of Judah fortified it, but it was during the Hellenistic period (4th to 2nd centuries BC) that the city reached its height and the endless complexes of chalk caves were dug. Maresha was finally destroyed by the Parthians in 40 BC and replaced by the nearby Roman city of Beit Guvrin. The view from the tell is worth the short climb.Ancient Mareshans excavated thousands of underground chambers to extract soft chalk bricks, with which they built their homes above-ground. Residents then turned their "basement" quarries into industrial complexes, with water cisterns, olive-oil presses, and columbaria (derived from the Latin word columba, meaning dove or pigeon). The birds were used in ritual sacrifice and as food, producers of fertilizer, and message carriers.The most interesting and extensive cave system is just off the road on the opposite side of the tell (the trail begins at a parking lot). It includes water cisterns, storerooms, and a restored ancient olive press. The excitement of exploration makes this site a must for kids (with close parental supervision, though the safety features are good), but the many steps are physically demanding.The great "bell caves" of Beit Guvrin date from the late Roman, Byzantine, and early Arab periods (2nd to 7th century AD), when the locals created a quarry to extract lime for cement. At the top of each bell-shape space is a hole through the 4-foot-thick stone crust of the ground. When the ancient diggers reached the soft chalk below, they began reaming out their quarry in the structurally secure bell shape, each bell eventually cutting into the one adjacent to it. Although not built to be inhabited, the caves may have been used as refugees by early Christians. In the North Cave, a cross high on the wall, at the same level as an Arabic inscription, suggests a degree of coexistence even after the Arab conquest of the area in AD 636. More recently, Beit Guvrin was an Arab village, depopulated in 1948.After leaving this system, continue walking down the hill to visit the Sidonian Burial Caves. These magnificent 3rd- to 2nd-century BC tombs—adorned with colorful, restored frescoes and inscriptions—have important archaeological evidence as to the nature of the town's ancient Phoenician colonists.The undeveloped complexes of caves near the tell are off-limits to visitors. Keep to the marked sites only. The brochure at the entrance has a good map of the site.
Off Rte. 35, Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem, 79370, Israel08-681–1020Sight Details
Rate Includes: NIS 28 -
2. Church of the Nativity
Religious Building/Site/ShrineAt this church marking the traditional site of the birth of Jesus, the stone exterior is crowned by the crosses of the three denominations sharing...
At this church marking the traditional site of the birth of Jesus, the stone exterior is crowned by the crosses of the three denominations sharing it: the Greek Orthodox, Latins (Roman Catholic, represented by the Franciscan order), and Armenian Orthodox. The blocked, square entranceway dates from the time of the Byzantine emperor Justinian (6th century); the arched entrance (also blocked) within the Byzantine one is 12th-century Crusader; and the current low entrance was designed in the 16th century to protect the worshippers from attack by hostile Muslim neighbors.The church interior is vast and gloomy. In the central nave, a large wooden trapdoor reveals a remnant of a striking mosaic floor from the original basilica, built in the 4th century by Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, the Roman emperor who first embraced Christianity. Emperor Justinian's rebuilding two centuries later enlarged the church, creating its present-day plan and structure, including the 44 red-stone columns with Corinthian capitals that run the length of the nave in two paired lines.This is the oldest standing church in the country. When the Persians invaded in 614, they destroyed every Christian church and monastery in the land except this one. Legend holds that the church was adorned with a wall painting depicting the Nativity, including the visit to the infant Jesus by the Three Wise Men of the East. For the local artist, "east" meant Persia, and he dressed his wise men in Persian garb. The Persian conquerors did not understand the picture's significance, but "recognized" themselves in the painting and so spared the church. In the 8th century, the church was pillaged by the Muslims and was later renovated by the Crusaders. Patches of 12th-century mosaics high on the walls, the medieval oak ceiling beams, and figures of saints on the Corinthian pillars hint at its medieval splendor.The elaborately ornamented front of the church serves as the parish church of Bethlehem's Greek Orthodox community. The right transept is theirs, too, but the left transept belongs to the Armenian Orthodox. The altar in the left transept is known as the altar of the kings, because tradition holds this to be the place where the three magi dismounted. For centuries, all three "shareholders" in the church have vied for control of the holiest Christian sites in the Holy Land. The 19th-century Status Quo Agreement that froze their respective rights and privileges in Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Tomb of the Virgin pertains here, too: ownership, the timing of ceremonies, number of oil lamps, and so on are all clearly defined.From the right transept at the front of the church, descend to the Grotto of the Nativity, encased in white marble. Long lines can form at the entrance to the grotto, making the suggestion of spending just an hour to see the church an impossibility. Once a cave—precisely the kind of place that might have been used as a barn—the grotto has been reamed, plastered, and decorated beyond recognition. Immediately on the right is a small altar, and on the floor below it is the focal point of the entire site: a 14-point silver star with the Latin inscription "hic de virgine maria jesus christus natus est" (Here of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ was born). The Latins placed the original star here in 1717 but lost control of the altar 40 years later to the more influential Greek Orthodox. In 1847 the star mysteriously disappeared, and pressure from the Turkish sultan compelled the Greeks to allow the present Latin replacement to be installed in 1853. The Franciscan guardians do have possession, however, of the little alcove a few steps down on the left at the entrance to the grotto, said to be the manger where the infant Jesus was laid.
Manger Sq., , West Bank, Palestine02-274–2440Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Grotto closed Sun. morning. -
3. Clos de Gat
Winery/Brewery/DistilleryWinemaker Eyal Rotem puts a premium on quality at this boutique estate winery that produces 90,000 bottles a year. While it's not kosher, the...
Winemaker Eyal Rotem puts a premium on quality at this boutique estate winery that produces 90,000 bottles a year. While it's not kosher, the winery prides itself on its participation in ancient and modern Jewish history: it houses a 3,000-year-old-winepress and during the 1948 war served as the base for Itzhak Rabin and his Har'el Brigades. Many Clos de Gat wines age beautifully, including the Sycra series, which has garnered international accolades. The tour and tasting fee is deductible with the purchase of six bottles.
Har'el Vineyards, Rte. 44, Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem, Israel02-999–3505Sight Details
Rate Includes: Tours and tastings NIS 100, Closed Sat. Other days, by appointment only -
4. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
RuinsThis beautiful nature reserve has a number of well-marked trails to explore, all of which are off the main entrance. It is home to Nahal David...
This beautiful nature reserve has a number of well-marked trails to explore, all of which are off the main entrance. It is home to Nahal David (David's Stream), and the cave at Nahal David is believed to be the place where David hid while Saul hunted him down 3,000 years ago (I Samuel 24:1–22). Walkers can also visit the canyon of Nahal Arugot and the remains of an ancient synagogue. Get a map from the admission booth and you can spend anywhere from an hour to a day here, depending on your interest in nature and hiking. Reaching Ein Gedi from the north, the first turnoff to the right is the parking lot at the entrance to the reserve. The clearly marked trail to Nahal David rises past several pools and small waterfalls to the upper waterfall. There are many steps, but it's not too daunting. Allow at least 1¼ hours to include a dip under one of the lower waterfalls. Look out for ibex (wild goats), especially in the afternoon, and for the small, furry hyrax, often seen on tree branches. Leopards here face extinction because of breeding problems and are seldom seen nowadays.If you're a serious hiker, don't miss the trail that breaks off to the right 50 yards down the return path from the top waterfall. It passes the remains of Byzantine irrigation systems and has breathtaking views of the Dead Sea. The trail doubles back on itself toward the source of Nahal David. Near the top, a short side path climbs to the remains of a 4th-millennium-BC Chalcolithic temple, the treasures of which can be seen in Jerusalem's Israel Museum. The main path leads on to the streambed, again turns east, and reaches Dudim Cave, formed by boulders and filled with crystal clear spring water. Swimming in "Lover's Cave" is one of the most refreshing and romantic experiences in Israel. Since this trail involves a considerable climb (and hikers invariably take time to bathe in the "cave"), access to the trail is permitted only up to 3½ hours before closing time. Although not as lush as Nahal David, the deep canyon of Nahal Arugot is perhaps more spectacular. Enormous boulders and slabs of stone on the opposite cliff face seem poised in midcataclysm. The hour-long hike to the Hidden Waterfall (not too difficult) passes by spots where the stream bubbles over rock shelves and shallow pools give relief from the heat. If you're adventurous and have water shoes, you can return through the greenery of the streambed. Experienced hikers can ascend the Tsafit Trail to Mapal Hachalon (translated as "window waterfall"), where there are stunning views over the Dead Sea. A Jewish community lived in Ein Gedi for more than 1,200 years, beginning in the 7th century BC. In the 3rd century AD, they built a synagogue between Nahal David and Nahal Arugot with a beautiful mosaic floor. The mosaic includes an inscription in Hebrew and Aramaic invoking the wrath of heaven on troublemakers including "whoever reveals the secret of the town." The secret is believed to refer to a method of cultivating a now-extinct balsam tree, which was used to make the prized perfume for which Ein Gedi was once famous.
Rte. 90, Ein Gedi, Southern District, 86980, Israel08-658–4285Sight Details
Rate Includes: NIS 28, NIS 14 synagogue only -
5. Jericho Cable Car
Transportation Site (Airport, Bus, Ferry, Train)To the west of Tel Jericho is the Mount of Temptation, identified by tradition as the "exceedingly high mountain" from which Satan tempted Jesus...
To the west of Tel Jericho is the Mount of Temptation, identified by tradition as the "exceedingly high mountain" from which Satan tempted Jesus with dominion over "all the kingdoms of the world" (Matthew 4). Departing from a ticket booth facing Tel Jericho, a cable car (locals know it by the French: "Téléphérique") brings riders up and down the mountain. You can see all of Jericho and parts of Jordan from the restaurant at the cable car's upper station. Halfway down the mountain sits the remarkable Greek Orthodox monastery of Qarantal, the name being a corruption of quarantena—a period of 40 days (the source of the English word quarantine)—the period of Jesus's temptation. Built into the cliff face in 1895 on Byzantine and Crusader remains, it is flanked by caves that once housed hermits.
Ain as-Sultan St., Jericho, West Bank, Palestine02-232–1590Sight Details
Rate Includes: NIS 60 round-trip -
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6. Masada
RuinsA symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, Masada (Hebrew for "fortress") towers majestically over the western shore of the Dead Sea. Its unusual...
A symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, Masada (Hebrew for "fortress") towers majestically over the western shore of the Dead Sea. Its unusual natural form—a plateau set off on all sides by towering cliffs—attracted Herod the Great, who built an opulent desert palace here in the 1st century AD. Masada became the last refuge of the Jews in AD 73 to 74, during their final fight against Rome. The historian Flavius Josephus wrote that the rebels (almost 1,000 people) chose to commit suicide rather than surrender, although no one can be sure what happened at the end. In recognition of its historical significance, this was the first site in Israel to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.To reach the top, most visitors make use of the speedy cable car (NIS 74 round-trip). More intrepid visitors climb the eastern Snake Path (at least 45 minutes of steep walking), some even starting before dawn to watch the sunrise. Others take the less arduous western Roman Ramp path, accessible only from the road that descends from Arad. Water fountains (but no other refreshments) are available on Masada itself, so save bottles for refilling. Allow no less than 1½ hours to explore the site. The most popular route heads counterclockwise. If time allows, be sure to visit the southern area as well (especially the huge cistern and echo wall). Maps, a detailed brochure, and a very useful audio guide are available at the top entrance.The entire mountaintop—less than 20 acres—is surrounded by a 4,250-foot-long casemate, a double wall that included living quarters and guardrooms. Most of the important buildings are concentrated in the high northern area. The Northern Palace, Masada's most impressive structure, is an extraordinary three-tiered structure that seems to hang off the highest and most northerly point of the mountain. The panoramic effect is awesome: baked brown precipices and bleached valleys shimmer in the midday glare. Clearly visible from the upper terrace are the Roman camps—the remains of the most complete Roman siege system in the world—and "runner's path" (used for communication between the camps). The synagogue, one of only four that have been uncovered from the Second Temple period, can be seen in the western casemate. The building's orientation toward Jerusalem suggested its function, but the stone benches (synagogue means "place of assembly") and the man-made pit for damaged scrolls (a genizah) confirmed it. At an opening in the walls on the western edge, you can stand where the Roman legionnaires breached Masada's defenses. The original wedge-shape ramp is below, though its upper part has since collapsed. The Western Gate leads to a modern trail down this side of the mountain (access via Arad only).Adjoining the lower cable-car station is the Masada Museum, with hundreds of artifacts from the site. Especially moving is a set of 12 pottery shards, each bearing a single name. Archaeologists believe these might have been lots drawn to decide the order in which the last remaining rebels would die. All the artifacts are placed within scenes of daily life.A fine summer-night diversion is the sound-and-light show at Masada's western base. The show runs every Tuesday and Thursday from March to October and costs NIS 45.
Off Rte. 3199, Ein Gedi, Southern District, 86935, Israel08-658–4207/8Sight Details
Rate Includes: NIS 28, entrance and round-trip cable car NIS 74, museum NIS 20 -
7. Milk Grotto
Religious Building/Site/ShrineLegend has it that when Mary stopped here to nurse the baby Jesus, a drop of milk fell on the floor in this cavelike grotto and the walls turned...
Legend has it that when Mary stopped here to nurse the baby Jesus, a drop of milk fell on the floor in this cavelike grotto and the walls turned white. The grotto and the church above are beautiful, especially just before sunset when the light catches the stained-glass windows.
Milk Grotto St., , West Bank, Palestine02-627–2692Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. Apr.–Sept. -
8. Mini Israel
Amusement Park/Water ParkOne of the most popular attractions in Israel, this theme park spreads over 13 acres and contains nearly 400 models of the most important historical...
One of the most popular attractions in Israel, this theme park spreads over 13 acres and contains nearly 400 models of the most important historical, national, religious, and natural sites in the country, all scaled down to 1:25. Worth at least an hour's visit, it is especially fun for children. About 25,000 miniature "residents" have been meticulously created to present not just the physical, but also the cultural, religious, and social aspects of contemporary Israel. A walk through the park—along with a 3-D film about Israel—lets you see and hear the people of different faiths and cultures that make up the country's human landscape.
Rte. 424, Latrun, Central District, 99760, Israel700-559–559Sight Details
Rate Includes: NIS 69 -
9. Qumran National Park
RuinsThe sandy caves in the cliffs north of the Dead Sea yielded the most significant archaeological find ever made in Israel: the Dead Sea Scrolls...
The sandy caves in the cliffs north of the Dead Sea yielded the most significant archaeological find ever made in Israel: the Dead Sea Scrolls. These biblical, apocryphal, and sectarian religious texts were found under extraordinary circumstances in 1947 when a young Bedouin goatherd stumbled on a cave containing scrolls in earthen jars. Because the scrolls were made from animal hide, he first went to a shoemaker to turn them into sandals. The shoemaker alerted a local antiquities dealer, who brought them to the attention of Professor Eliezer Sukenik of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Six other major scrolls and hundreds of fragments have since been discovered in 11 of the caves, and some are on display in Jerusalem's Israel Museum.Most scholars believe that the Essenes, a Jewish separatist sect that set up a monastic community here in the late 2nd century BC, wrote the scrolls. During the Jewish revolt against Rome (AD 66–73), they apparently hid their precious scrolls in the caves before the site was destroyed in AD 68. Others contend the texts were brought from libraries in Jerusalem, possibly even the library of the Jewish Temple.Almost all books of the Hebrew Bible were discovered here, many of them virtually identical to the texts still used in Jewish communities today. Sectarian texts were also found, including the constitution or "Community Rule," a description of an end-of-days battle ("The War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness"), and the "Thanksgiving Scroll," containing hymns reminiscent of biblical psalms.A short film at the visitor center introduces the mysterious sect that once lived here. Climb the tower for a good view, and note the elaborate system of channels and cisterns that gathered precious floodwater from the cliffs. Just below the tower is a long room some scholars have identified as the scriptorium. A plaster writing table and bronze and ceramic inkwells found here suggest that this may have been where the scrolls were written. You shouldn't need more than an hour to tour this site.
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10. Sataf
Farm/RanchJust outside Jerusalem, Sataf was one of many Arab villages that were abandoned in the 1948 War of Independence. You can hike here on well-marked...
Just outside Jerusalem, Sataf was one of many Arab villages that were abandoned in the 1948 War of Independence. You can hike here on well-marked trails amid ancient terraces shaded with pine, fig, and almond trees. Hikes last two or four hours and pass springs where you can get your feet wet. There's a small coffee shop on site serving Israeli breakfasts, salads, and sandwiches along with ice cream and drinks. On weekends, follow the pictures of goats to get to Shai Seltzer, who raises goats in the forest and ages unique and delicious cheese in an old Byzantine cave. You can walk to Sataf from Ein Kerem in about an hour.
Sataf Junction, intersection of Rtes. 395 and 3965, Sataf, Jerusalem, Israel054-440–3762-Seltzer farmSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
11. Shepherds' Fields
Religious Building/Site/ShrineJust east of Bethlehem is the town of Beit Sahour, famous in Christian tradition for the Shepherds' Fields, where herdsmen received the "tidings...
Just east of Bethlehem is the town of Beit Sahour, famous in Christian tradition for the Shepherds' Fields, where herdsmen received the "tidings of great joy" that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2). The same fields are also said to be where the biblical Ruth the Moabite, daughter-in-law of Naomi, "gleaned in the field" (Ruth 2:2). Local Christians disagree about where the real Shepherds' Fields are, and two chapels and gardens give rival interpretations, complete with rival Byzantine relics. Entrance is free to both.The Greek Orthodox Der El Rawat Chapel is a small white building with a charming red dome; inside, bright paintings of the Stations of the Cross cover the walls and soaring ceilings. A mosaic dating to a 5th-century Byzantine church lies just outside. A Catholic church—Shepherds' Field of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land—is a short walk away. This tiny, minimalist chapel built over a cave is tucked away in a lush garden, with walking paths surrounded by soaring pines and bright aloe plants. Outside are a number of souvenir stores and coffee shops.
Beit Sahour, West Bank, PalestineSight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Greek Orthodox chapel closed Sun. -
12. Synergy Spa
Spa–SightAt the Ein Gedi Hotel's impressive spa, you can float in an indoor pool rich in sulfur, magnesium, and potassium as you enjoy the stunning view...
At the Ein Gedi Hotel's impressive spa, you can float in an indoor pool rich in sulfur, magnesium, and potassium as you enjoy the stunning view of mountains on one side and the Dead Sea on the other. Treatment rooms, like the rest of the spa, are elegantly simple, decorated in soft hues that showcase the surrounding oasis. Try the Turkish hammam, and get a smoothie from the bar and lounge beside the freshwater pool. Body peels use materials like myrrh and frankincense; the cost is NIS 295 for 40 minutes. The spa's tranquillity and superior services make it a better option than the hectic Ein Gedi Spa nearby. Hotel guests have free access to pools and saunas, and receive a discount on treatments. Nonguests should call at least a day in advance to make reservations.
Ein Gedi Hotel, Rte. 90, Ein Gedi, Ein Gedi, Southern District, 86980, Israel08-659–4058Sight Details
Rate Includes: NIS 225 for 50-min massage, NIS 305 for day package with 30-min massage and breakfast -
13. Abeer Haela
Winery/Brewery/DistilleryAram Dekel was the first to brew beer in the rolling green hills of the Ella Valley, brimming with biblical history. Some of his bottles evoke...
Aram Dekel was the first to brew beer in the rolling green hills of the Ella Valley, brimming with biblical history. Some of his bottles evoke ancient recipes with date syrup and honey. The allspice beer stays on your tongue with its crisp and potent flavor. Make sure to ask about the mead and ginger liqueur. You must call ahead to reserve a tasting and a workshop on the secrets of home brewing.
Farm 25, Rte. 3554, Tzafririm, Jerusalem, 9983000, Israel054-700–0512Sight Details
Rate Includes: NIS 1100 for 1-hr group workshop -
14. Arava Road
Scenic DriveTraversing the Arava Valley from Ein Bokek to Eilat, the 177-km (111-mile) Route 90 parallels the Israel-Jordan border, almost touching it at...
Traversing the Arava Valley from Ein Bokek to Eilat, the 177-km (111-mile) Route 90 parallels the Israel-Jordan border, almost touching it at some points. To the east rise the spiky, red-brown mountains of Moab, in Jordan. The road follows an ancient route mentioned in biblical descriptions of the journeys of the Children of Israel.The Arava (meaning "wilderness") is part of the Great Rift Valley, the deep fissure in the earth stretching from Turkey to East Africa, the result of an ancient shift of landmasses. Just south of Ein Bokek, you pass signs for the communities Neot HaKikar and Ein Tamar (home to many metalwork and jewelry artists), whose date palms draw water from underground springs rather than irrigation.With the Edom Mountains rising in the east, the road continues along the southern Dead Sea valley, where you cross one of the largest dry riverbeds in the Negev, Nahal Zin, and pass several sprawling date orchards that belong to neighboring kibbutzim.
Ein Bokek, Southern District, Israel -
15. Auja Eco Center
Educational InstitutionThis tiny Palestinian village north of Jericho has turned an acute water shortage into an ecotourism opportunity at this center. Established...
This tiny Palestinian village north of Jericho has turned an acute water shortage into an ecotourism opportunity at this center. Established by Friends of the Earth Middle East, it brings together Palestinian, Israeli, and Jordanian environmentalists. The knowledgeable staff leads hikes in the surrounding areas, including a moonlit trek in the stark desert and visits to nearby Bedouin communities that are also suffering from diminished water supplies. A rooftop restaurant offers traditional food with lovely views of the area. Curious teens enjoy the displays on recycling, while younger children can enjoy the playground. There's an 11-room B&B should you wish to sleep over.
Rte. 90, , West Bank, Palestine02-231–0424Sight Details
Rate Includes: NIS 1,000 for group hike (6–18 people), including lunch; NIS 400 for group tour and visit to Bedouin village -
16. Biankini Beach
BeachThis beautiful beach has a spa with mineral treatments and massages and a Moroccan restaurant serving couscous on imported crockery. There is...
This beautiful beach has a spa with mineral treatments and massages and a Moroccan restaurant serving couscous on imported crockery. There is also a modest collection of cabins and a campsite for overnighters, plus a half-Olympic-sized freshwater pool for adults; kids can enjoy a wading pool and petting zoo. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: walking; swimming; sunset.
Off Rte. 90, , 90665, Israel02-940–0266Sight Details
Rate Includes: Fri., Sat. NIS 80; Sun.–Thurs. NIS 60 -
17. Buster's Beverage Co.
Winery/Brewery/DistillerySouth African Denny Neilson brews alcoholic apple cider and hard lemonade in Beit Shemesh. The brewery is named for the family dog; the cider...
South African Denny Neilson brews alcoholic apple cider and hard lemonade in Beit Shemesh. The brewery is named for the family dog; the cider—dry or sweet—is crisp and delicious. Factory tours, tastings, and occasional barbecues take place Friday; call ahead to reserve. Ask about Danny's beer, known as Isra-Ale.
Nacham Industrial Park, Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem, Israel054-638–1103Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sat.–Thurs. -
18. Church of St. Catherine
Religious Building/Site/ShrineBuilt by Franciscans in 1882, Bethlehem's Roman Catholic parish church incorporates remnants of its 12th-century Crusader predecessor. Note...
Built by Franciscans in 1882, Bethlehem's Roman Catholic parish church incorporates remnants of its 12th-century Crusader predecessor. Note the bronze doors with reliefs of St. Jerome, St. Paula, and St. Eustochium. From this church, the midnight Catholic Christmas mass is broadcast around the world. Steps descend from within the church to a series of dim grottoes, clearly once used as living quarters. Chapels here are dedicated to Joseph, the Innocents killed by Herod the Great, and to the 4th-century St. Jerome, who wrote the Vulgate—the Latin translation of the Bible—supposedly right here. St. Catherine is adjacent to the Church of the Nativity, and accessible by a passage from its Armenian chapel. Next to the church is a lovely cloister, restored in 1949. A small wooden door (kept locked) connects the complex with the Grotto of the Nativity. Call ahead to check hours, as they change frequently.
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19. Dig for a Day
RuinsArchaeological Seminars, in Jerusalem, runs this program at Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park. The three-hour activity includes supervised digging...
Archaeological Seminars, in Jerusalem, runs this program at Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park. The three-hour activity includes supervised digging in a real excavation site inside a cave, into which local inhabitants dumped earth and artifacts 21 centuries ago. Participants then sift the buckets of dirt they have hauled out of the cave, looking for finds. Some museum-quality artifacts of the 3rd to 2nd centuries BC (Hellenistic period) have been uncovered here. (No, you can't take home what you find!) You are then led on a fun 30-minute exploration through caves not yet open to the public. This involves some crawling, because some spaces are too tight or too low for walking upright. The tour ends with a short talk in the pottery shed about how clay vessels are reconstructed. You must reserve ahead.
Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem, Israel02-586–2011Sight Details
Rate Includes: $30 plus park entrance fee -
20. Domaine du Castel
Winery/Brewery/DistilleryThis vineyard consistently produces some of the country's best wines. The small winery, with its exquisite cellar, runs tours and tastings of...
This vineyard consistently produces some of the country's best wines. The small winery, with its exquisite cellar, runs tours and tastings of wine and cheese.
Rte. 4115, Yad Hashmona, Jerusalem, 9097400, Israel02-534–2249Sight Details
Rate Includes: Tour and tasting NIS 130, Closed Fri. afternoon and Sat. By appointment only
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